Web supply mechanism for printing machines



Nov. 8, 1938. A. J. HoRToN WEB SUPPLY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed March l2, 1956 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Nov. 8, 1938. A. J. HORTON WEB SUPPLY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed March l2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3mm/m mi Patented Nov. 8, 1938 PATENT OFFICE WEB SUPPLY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES 1 Albert J. Horton, White Plains, N. Y., assgnor to R. Hoe & Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 12, 1936, Serial No. 68,368

12 Claims.

This invention relates to web supply mechanisms used with machines adapted to operate upon a web, such as certain types of printing machines. More particularly the invention re- 5 lates to an adjustable stop mechanism for web roll supporting reels, provided with high speed roll changers.

The web supply mechanisms and high speed roll changers, particularly referred to, are adapted to position a web replacement rollin proper relation with respect to a running web from an expiring web roll that web joining mechanism may be efficiently operated to join the web of the replacement roll to the running web without stopping or otherwise interfering with the machine operation. As the position of the replacement roll in respect to the running web would vary if the roll supporting reel was stopped at a definite position each time it was rotated to bring a roll into position due to differences in diameter of the replacement roll, it is desirable to change the stopping point of the reel in accordance with the diameter of the roll being positioned.

In View of the above desideratum, this invention has for its principal object the provision in a, Web supply mechanism of an adjustable stop mechanism for the web roll reels, which is adapted to be manually set in accordance with the measured diameter of the roll supported on the reel to control the rotation of the reel and stop it in proper position to dispose the roll in proper web joining position.

Another object of this invention is to provide in an adjustable stop mechanism for the above stated use, means rotatable with the reel and which is adjustable in accordance with the diameter of a web roll, to' operably engage a reel rotation interrupting device, to actuate the same. A A further object is to provide an adjustable stop mechanism for an electric motor driven web roll supporting reel and which is adjustable in accordance with the diameter of the web roll on the reel, to dispose an electric switch actuat- 45 ing member in proper position to cause the switch to stop the reel rotating motor, and thereby the reel in the desired roll supporting position with respect to another operative device of a machine operating upon a web. 5G It is also an object of this invention to provide a web supply mechanism of generally improved construction, Whereby the device will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and emcient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed,

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an end view of a web supply mechanism embodying the features of this invention;

Figure 2 is a View of a part of the same looking in the direction of the arrow 2, in Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side view of the parts shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional View on line 5-5 of Figure 2 with an end plate broken away to expose parts covered thereby;

Figure 6 is a top view of the parts shown in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a sectional view on line 'I-l of Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of an electrical circuit adapted for use with the features of this invention.

The web supply mechanism selected to illustrate the application and use of the features of this invention is particularly adapted for use with printing machines "through which a web is continuously run for operation thereon of the several parts and devices thereof. The web, indioated in dotted lines at I I in Figure l, normally feeds from a roll I2 positioned as shown, the surface speed of which is controlled by a driven belt i3 whereby proper tension is imposed upon the web, it being understood that the belt I3 is driven from, and substantially in synchronism with, the operating machines parts. The roll I2 together with, in this instance, a spare roll I4 and an expiring web roll I5 is mounted upon respective arms I6, Il and I8 of a reel I9.

When the supply i web on the roll I2 is substantially exhausted, the reel I9 is rotated to position the spare roll I4 in place of the roll I2. the 'expiring web roll therefore assumes the position of the roll I5, and the web from this roll I runs into the machine as shown at II' in full lines in Figure l. Considering now, that the roll I2, as shown, is the replacement roll, the roll I5 is the expiring roll and the roll I4 is the spare roll, it is necessary to join the web of the roll I2 with the running web II and provision for so doing is shown as part of the web supply mechanism. The web joining mechanism includes swingably mounted web deecting and severing means herein shown respectively as a brush 2| and a web cutting knife housed in a' carrier 22. When it is desired to join the webs, a handle 23 is depressed and through a. cable 24 swings the brush 2| towards the roll |2, pressing the web Il' thereagainst, whereupon the web adheres to the end of the web of the roll I2, which was previously prepared, including the application of an adhesive thereto. Substantially simultaneously with the joining of the webs, the web ll running from the roll is severed below the join and the web is then fed into the machine from the roll l2.

As the amount of the deflection of the web Il' by the brush 2| to cause it to engage the web of the roll |2, as indicated at 25 in Figure 1, is required and preferred to be the same in all instances when a web join is made in order to make a proper join in the most eilcient manner, it is necessary that provision be made to compensate for diierences in the diameters of different web replacement rolls, when such occur. It is, therefore, contemplated to accomplish this result by the provision of adjustable means whereby the amount the reel I9 is rotated to position the replacement roll l2 may be controlled and its movement arrested when the proper position of the roll |2 with respect to the web H' is reached.

As illustrated herein the reel I9 is rotated by an electric motor 3| through a worm-gear 32, a worm-wheel 33, a shaft 34, a pinion 35, and a gear 36 secured upon a reel shaft 31. The reel shaft 31, in this instance, is journaled in and extends between bearing brackets 38 and 38, each of which is secured respectively to opposing machine frame members 4| and 42. The motor 3|, adapted through the aforesaid gearing to rotate the reel I9, is under the control of suitable electrical solenoids, switches and relays mounted in a control box 43 and it receives its power from the conductors Ll, L2 and L3 leading thereinto, see Figure 8. Direction of rotation coils 44 and 45 disposed in the box 43 when energized respectively cause rotation of the motor 3| forward and reverse. A normally closed circuit limit switch 46 mounted for convenience upon the bracket 38 is herein shown connected by a conductor 41 to a line wire LLI and by a conductor 48 to the common terminal 49 for the coils 44 and 45. Suitable switches are provided in a switch box 5| whereby the proper one of the coils 44 and 45 may be energized to c-ause the actuation of the proper motor controls in the box 43 to rotate the motor 3| in the desired direction, the switches in box 5| being connected to line wire LL2 by a conductor 52. Conductors 53 and 54 leading from the box 5| may be connected to the switches therein and to controls of other operable parts of the mechanism such as the web joining mechanism controls (not shown) and a suitable tensioning device operable upon a floating roller 55 over which the web is threaded in its passage through the machine, so as to prevent operation of the reel motor 3| when these devices are in operation or vice versa.

Secured upon and rotatable with the reel shaft 31, herein shown disposed adjacent the bearing bracket 38, is a device 6|, see Figures 3-7 inclusive, circular platelike in form, which is adapted by means of a lug 62 to actuate the limit switch 46 when the reel is rotated into a determined position, the lug 62 being adjustable circumferentially about the device 6| by means of T-bolts 63 carried by the lug 62 and disposed in T-slots 64 in a casing member 65 of the device 6|. A cover plate 66 is secured to the casing 65 and is provided with a central hub 61 which encircles the shaft 31 and is secured thereto by set screws 68. Both the casing member 65 and the cover plate 66 are formed of semi-disc-like portions which respectively are secured together by screws 69 and 1l. The central hub 61 of the plate 66 is provided with an annular flange 12 at one end, and a hub 13 provided on the casing 65 surrounds the hub 61 and is rotatably retained thereon by the flange 12.

The casing member 65 and the plate 66 are adjustably connected together for rotation in unison by means of one of a plurality of triangular studs 14, the number of studs corresponding to the number of roll carrying arms on the reel I9. Each stud 14 is locked to the plate 66 by a nut 15, one edge of each stud 14 being engageable with teeth 16 formed in a segment piece 11. The segment piece 11 is mounted upon a lever 18 which is pivoted at 19 to the casing member 65 between the same and the plate 66. The lever 18 is provided with a thumb engageable part 8|, which extends from the lever 18 into a recess 82 formed in the peripheral Wall of the casing 65 and open thereat to permit ready access to the thumb part 8|. Depression of the lever 18 by pressure upon the part 8| releases the engagement between the stud 14 and the teeth 16 of the segment 11 whereby the casing 65 may be rotated about, and relatively to, the plate 66. A compression spring 80 having one of its ends abutting a post 83 secured to the casing 65 and its other end abutting a collar 84 fastened to a guide rod 85 which is secured to the free end of the lever 18, continuously urges the lever 18 outwardly insuring engagement of the teeth 16 on the segment 11 with the stud 14 until the lever is depressed to release the same.

A plate 86 having indicia thereon, which proportionally corresponds to various diameters of web rolls is provided and mounted on the periphery of the casing 65. Herein the indicia comprises a series of lines 81 which are spaced apart along the plate 86 and are numbered in accordance with the diameter in inches of the web rolls to be mounted on the reel I8. A point mark 88 is provided on the periphery of the plate 66 which.

when its position with respect to any line 81 is considered, visually indicates the setting, that is, the relative rotative position of the casing 65 in respect to the plate 66, and thereby the position of the switch actuating lug 62 in respect to the arm of the reel I8 carrying the replacement web roll |2.

The operation of the adjustable stop mechanism above described is easily and eciently accomplished. The operator measures the dlameter of the replacement web roll I2 while preparing it for having its web joined to the running web Before the reel I8 is rotated to position the roll |2, the thumb part 8| is depressed and the casing 65, with the lug 62, is rotated about the plate 66 until thepoint mark 88 is opposite the line 81 numbered in accordance with the roll diameter as above ascertained. Release of the part 8| locks the casing 65 to the plate 66 and the mechanism is set for efficient operation. Rotation of the reel I8 will now be limited to properly position the roll l2 in respect to the running web Il as shown at 25 due to the interruption of the actuation of the motor by the opening of the limit switch 46 by the lug 62. By

the provision of the above described ladjustable stop mechanism in combination with the other operative devices in a Web supply mechanism, the latter becomes more serviceable and eflicient in its use and is of generally improved construction, and the web roll support may be actuated to properlyposition any roll of a diameter Within the range of the permitted setting with respect to a running web, The mechanism herein disclosed and described is particularly efficient for the purposes contemplated including the stopping of the roll supporting reel at a point in accordance with the diameter of the supported roll.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and it will be further understood that each and every novel feature and combination present in or possessed by the mechanism herein disclosed forms a part of the invention included in this application.

What I claim is:

l. In combination, a pair of arms adapted to rotatably support a web roll and being mounted upon a shaft, means to rotate said shaft, means to control theamount of rotation of said shaft, and means to actuate said vcontrol means including a part releasably connectable to said shaft, and means to adjust said part on said shaft and relatively to said arms in accordance with the diameter of the supported roll on said arms, whereby said control actuating means will actuate said control means to stop the rotation of said shaft when the supported roll reaches a predetermined position.

2. In a stop mechanism for a rotatable web roll supportingT reel having aplurality of roll supporting arms, means to rotate said reel, means to control said reel rotating means to interrupt the rotation of said reel, and means to actuate said control means including a part releasably connectable to said reel for rotation therewith and adjustable relatively to any one of the roll supporting arms in accordance with the diameter of the roll on the selected arm to actuate said control means and cause it to interrupt the rotation of said reel when the roll on the selected arm is in a predetermined position.

3. In combination with a rotatably mounted plurality of web roll supporting arms, means to rotate said arms about a common axis, and means to control the amount of rotation of said arms to selectively position any one of them in a predetermined position, said last means including a part rotatable about the aforesaid common axis and selectively adjustable in respect to any one of said arms and in accordance with the diameter of the roll supported by the selected arm.

4. In combination with a rotatably mounted plurality of web roll supporting arms, common means to control the amount of rotation of said arms to selectively position any one of them in a predetermined position, said common means including a part selectively positionable relatively to any one of said arms and being adjustable in accordance with the diameter of the roll on the selected arm.

5. In a stop mechanism for a rotatable web roll supporting reel having a plurality of arms, a shaft for said reel, means to rotate said reel, and a part in control of said rotating means to actuate the same and interrupt the rotation of said reel, means to drivingly connect said part relatively to any one of said arms for rotation with said reel, and means to adjust said part in accordance with the diameter of the roll on the selected arm when connecting it for rotation with said reel whereby the rotation of said reel will be interrupted to position the selected arm in predetermined roll supporting position.

6. In a stop mechanism for a rotatable web roll supporting reel, a rotatably mounted control actuating member, a. rotatable part to which said member is circumferentially and adjustably connectable, and means to connect said part to said member including means adjustable in accordance with the diameter of a web roll on said reel.

7. In an adjustable stop mechanism for a rotatable web roll supporting reel having a shaft, means to interrupt the rotation of said reel, a casing rotatable about said shaft and having a. part adapted to actuate said reel rotation interrupting means, a plate secured to and rotatable with said shaft, and means to adjustably and drivingly connect said casing and said plate in accordance with the diameter of the web roll supported on said reel.

8. In an adjustable stop mechanism for a rotatable web roll supporting reel having a shaft. means to interrupt the rotation of said reel, a casing rotatable about said shaft and having a part adaptedto actuate said reel rotation interrupting means, a plate secured to and rotatable with said shaft, and manually releasable means to adjustably and drivingly connect said casing and said plate in accordance with the diameter of the web roll supported on said reel, said means including a toothed lever on one and a tooth engaging part on the other.

9. In an adjustable stop mechanism for a rotatable reel having a shaft and a plurality of web roll supporting arms, means to rotate said shaft, means to interrupt the rotation of said shaft, a casing mounted for rotation about said shaft, a part connected to said shaft for rotation therewith, and means to connect said casing to said part relatively to any one of said arms, said connecting means being adjustable in accordance with the diameter of the web roll on the selected arm.

10. In an adjustable stop mechanism for a rotatable reel having a shaft and a plurality of web roll supporting arms, means to rotate said shaft, means to interrupt the rotation of said shaft, a casing mounted for rotation about said shaft, an actuating member for said shaft rotation interrupting means on said casing, a part connected to said shaft for rotation therewith, means to connect said shaft to said part to position said actuating member relatively to any one of said arms, said connecting means being adjustable in accordance with the diameter of the web roll on the selected arm.

11. In an adjustable stop mechanism for a rotatable reel having a shaft and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart web roll supporting arms, means to interrupt the rotation of said reel, a casing, a plate having a hub portion upon which said casing is rotatably mounted, said plate being secured to and rotatable with said shaft, and releasable means to drivingly connect said casing and said plate comprising a toothed lever on one and a plurality of toothed engaging members on the other, said tooth engaging members being circumferentially spaced apart in accordance with the spacing of said arms, said toothed lever and any one of said tooth engaging members being adjustable in respect to each other in accordance with the diameter of the supported roll on the one of said arms corresponding to the respective one of said tooth engaging members.

12. In a control mechanism for a rotatable web roll supporting reel for a machine operating upon a web, a reel rotation control, a pair of cooperating relatively rotatable members, a reel rotation l0 control actuating part on one of said members,

means to adjustably connect said members together, indicating means on one member correspending to various web roll diameters, and an indicating point on the other member cooperating with the indicating means to denote the adjustment required between said members to position said control actuating part relatively to said.

control in accordance with the diameter of the supported web roli. 

